MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT: We've Partnered With USA Today
by Luke Thomas on Mar 25, 2009 10:47 AM EDT
in MMA News
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This is arguably the proudest I've ever been in my time at BloodyElbow.com. As the Editor-in-Chief of the site, I want to let everyone know we've officially entered into a content partnership with America's largest daily national newspaper, USA Today.
So what's the deal: USA Today has partnered with us to co-brand and co-feature what is formerly known as the "BloodyElbow.com meta-rankings" as the "USA Today/SB Nation Consensus MMA Rankings". Each month, the print edition of USA Today will feature the top 10 fighters in the five major weight classes featured in the UFC: lightweight, welterweight, middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight. There will also be an online component where the top 25 of all the major weight classes will be permanently featured. Check back at roughly 6pm today to get all the updated rankings for this month.
I absolutely have to acknowledge a few key players in this endeavor. First, we aren't curing cancer or splitting the atom, but we believe this new partnership represents a positive step up in terms of mainstream news treatment of mixed martial arts. We now have America's largest daily national newspaper giving consistent rankings coverage of MMA's top fighters as determined by the MMA ranking community, something that has been missing from any mainstream reporting outlet.
Second, I want to formally thank SB Nation. Quite literally, without their initiative and dedicated hard work, none of this would've been possible.
Third, we have to thank USA Today. Their commitment to mixed martial arts is clear and we are happy to be partnered with them to deliver more MMA coverage to a wider readership that they are able to deliver.
Fourth, I have to acknowledge the staff here at BloodyElbow.com that made this possible (most notably Kid Nate and Richard Wade). When I was building this site after Nate handed me the reigns a couple of years ago I knew if I could find talented writers with a passion for MMA and exploratory thought I could turn this place into something. With a little good timing and an enormous amount of luck, BloodyElbow.com now features some of the best MMA coverage around and I realize it's because the persistent and dedicated passion of the staff creates such a unique experience. Nate and Richard have turned an inquiry about rankings into what we believe could become an industry standard. I take my hat off to them for all their hard work and success. More than anyone on this site, they deserve credit for making this happen. Those of us here on staff are extremely lucky to be able to work with such talented professionals.
And, as always, I know I speak for everyone on staff here when I say to everyone who helped make this deal happen (which, of course, means we include you, the reader): thank you.
UPDATE (by Kid Nate): A special thanks to BE reader and FightMatrix main man JCS FM who worked out the normalization scheme we use to weigh the various sources -- that way we can include sites that only have the top ten with sites that have a top 25 and not distort the rankings. He worked out the scheme right here in the BE comments. Classic crowd sourcing and a testament to the power of the BE and the MMA online community.
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Congrats.
I think as local newspapers suffer the times, a national paper like USA Today, may become more and more popular.
If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.
Will you just be doing rankings with them or
will they feature articles you guys write?
by polevaultking on Mar 25, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions
for now just the rankings
although we’re talking with Beau and Sergio about some other stuff.
"the spirit of your average dumbass with more overblown rhetoric" OR "the self-appointed savior of MMA"
I would hope that they turn to Bloody Elbow for their MMA related articles moving forward.
by polevaultking on Mar 25, 2009 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions
They've got a good team
with Beau and Sergio but we’ll be happy to contribute where we can.
"the spirit of your average dumbass with more overblown rhetoric" OR "the self-appointed savior of MMA"
If ever you were going to eliminate the heinous rankings
Now’s probably the time.
Creator of the FightMatrix rating system.
You’re having a pretty heated debate there.
"I hit [Evensen], and you could just see it in his head. He went, 'Oh, man. We don't have to do this anymore. I'm good. Thanks for having me. I'm going to go home now." -Pat "The Real Techno Viking" Berry
by Blackout612 on Mar 25, 2009 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Thank you.
And I have yet to pat myself on the back (since Luke didn’t) about creating the ranking methodology used.
Creator of the FightMatrix rating system.
High five
It’s all I’ve got, but it’s a good one.
"I hit [Evensen], and you could just see it in his head. He went, 'Oh, man. We don't have to do this anymore. I'm good. Thanks for having me. I'm going to go home now." -Pat "The Real Techno Viking" Berry
by Blackout612 on Mar 25, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions
a huge part!
"the spirit of your average dumbass with more overblown rhetoric" OR "the self-appointed savior of MMA"
Like Nate said, a huge part. Thanks.
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
by Richard Wade on Mar 25, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Right on
Good work guys.
"I hit [Evensen], and you could just see it in his head. He went, 'Oh, man. We don't have to do this anymore. I'm good. Thanks for having me. I'm going to go home now." -Pat "The Real Techno Viking" Berry
DAMN!
Freakin’ Patriots win everything…
If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.
I'm sure you meant.....
YESH! YESH! YESH! YESH!
"I hit [Evensen], and you could just see it in his head. He went, 'Oh, man. We don't have to do this anymore. I'm good. Thanks for having me. I'm going to go home now." -Pat "The Real Techno Viking" Berry
by Blackout612 on Mar 25, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions
YESH!
"It's like a flying knuckle sandwich." --Rogan
"And many men have eaten it." -- Goldy
by thetakeover on Mar 25, 2009 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Congratulations...
Definitely a great addition to the USA Today format, and props to Kid Nate, Richard, and JCS_FM for all their work on the Meta-Rankings.
Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com
celebratory
RIght High Kick in my office, congrats guys, the stares from my co-workers were worth it
Well..
…you did land flush on Cathy from accounting. That might have something to do with it.
"I hit [Evensen], and you could just see it in his head. He went, 'Oh, man. We don't have to do this anymore. I'm good. Thanks for having me. I'm going to go home now." -Pat "The Real Techno Viking" Berry
by Blackout612 on Mar 25, 2009 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
well
she thought she could out wreslte me because she won an ncaa title and had dropped her right hand.
Didn't Cathy beat Cro-cop?
"It's like a flying knuckle sandwich." --Rogan
"And many men have eaten it." -- Goldy
by thetakeover on Mar 25, 2009 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Congratulations
Kid, Luke, Richard
Hardwork does pay off. Maybe not financially but I bet you’ll sure as hell be able to use that as a pickup line at a bar.
Gimme 1 round!
Ahhh
Left out Nick Thomas – congrats to you too
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Mar 25, 2009 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions
This is great news
Bloodyelbow has been my source for MMA news since I discovered the website (only a few weeks ago but now I visit multiple times a day). The metarankings are the only unbiased and legitimate way to rank fighters. It is good to see them being legitimized by a large newspaper. Hopefully eventually they will become the recognized rankings throughout the sport. This is certainly a step in the right direction. Congratulations BloodyElbow. keep up the good work
by GroundNPound561 on Mar 25, 2009 11:13 AM EDT reply actions
I should state...
that they are head and shoulders above anything else right now. However, they still rely on biased rankings from biased outlets. If they become the recognized rankings, they might make obsolete the very rankings that they rely on.
But like I said, by far the best of the bunch for right now.
I hope that didn't
come off as a dig. I love BE and the staff is unmatched in the realm of MMA. I just see some flaws in the meta-rankings.
I forgot to add, great job guys. You all deserve major props for helping the cause, and getting more eyeballs on our sport.
congrats guys.. and MAJOR PROPS to richard, and nate. :)
okay, props to JCM_FM too. haha. :D
the meta rankings is actually the best rankings available in the webs and now more people are gonna see it.. :)
Good luck guys. But as you probably already know. Papers are down in revenue and I really wouldn’t get my hopes up if I were you guys. The exposure will be great, but you will end up getting the short end of the stick like everyone else in the news-paper industry. They can’t hang with online media nor can they hang with top ranked advertising consoles like Google.
I wish u the guys the best of luck, but again don’t get your hopes up. I don’t see this working out for the best in the long run.
USA Today/SB Nation Consensus MMA Rankings
Now that’s got quite the official ring to it. Good work rankings masters, and that goes for you too, JCS_FM.
by Cannon Jacques on Mar 25, 2009 11:22 AM EDT reply actions
Wow
I didn’t see that one coming. Nice job guys.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Mar 25, 2009 11:38 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Oh shit...
Here come the LOLCATS.
"I hit [Evensen], and you could just see it in his head. He went, 'Oh, man. We don't have to do this anymore. I'm good. Thanks for having me. I'm going to go home now." -Pat "The Real Techno Viking" Berry
by Blackout612 on Mar 25, 2009 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Catching Bill Goldberg just before dinner is always a little awkward
"I hit [Evensen], and you could just see it in his head. He went, 'Oh, man. We don't have to do this anymore. I'm good. Thanks for having me. I'm going to go home now." -Pat "The Real Techno Viking" Berry
USA Today is a periodical of note
Congrats on the big news. Its always nice to see people getting well deserved recognition. There is no greater reward than finding success in a job you love.
Pop a bottle boys, the UFC my not credential blogs, but they gotta let in USA TODAY.
That's great, but how does it affect Lyoto Machida?
Excellent point
Dana will definitely have to reconsider his policy toward credentialing BE now that they have the ear of USA Today.
"It's like a flying knuckle sandwich." --Rogan
"And many men have eaten it." -- Goldy
by thetakeover on Mar 25, 2009 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions
very cool.
don’t let it go to your head guys. Other websites ‘used’ to be great until they got too big and turned to be a shadow of their former self (junkie). Often times once a website gets a lot of exposure they have a lot of pressure to change which in effect neuters what made them so great in the first place.
hopefully BE doesn’t go down that path.
- fear of posting opinions
- fear of posting rumors
- fear of giving props to well run shows/events
- fear of criticizing fighters/fights/promoters/rules/athletic commissions, etc
for my part
I’m going to stay 100% blogger. No more working with promotions and probably won’t ever interview another fighter (unless its about mma history or technique). So I could give a fuck what anybody in the industry thinks of what I write, I’m going to fight to maintain my pure fan perspective.
"the spirit of your average dumbass with more overblown rhetoric" OR "the self-appointed savior of MMA"
by Kid Nate on Mar 25, 2009 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions 11 recs
Rec
I like the sound of that. I also hoping that if there’s a sudden influx of riff-raff that there will be increased monitoring of posts, as well. But hopefully I’m totally getting ahead of myself (as somehow who really hates forums, with BE being the sole exception).
"I hit [Evensen], and you could just see it in his head. He went, 'Oh, man. We don't have to do this anymore. I'm good. Thanks for having me. I'm going to go home now." -Pat "The Real Techno Viking" Berry
by Blackout612 on Mar 25, 2009 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions
needs one more to turn green ...
"It's like a flying knuckle sandwich." --Rogan
"And many men have eaten it." -- Goldy
by thetakeover on Mar 25, 2009 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions
This, Nate, is one of the reasons why I respect you more than almost any MMA commentator out there. Your passion and honesty are always evident. It makes me really happy to see that people can still make it with that attitude.
"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."
lol
thanks but don’t get carried away. I’m just a hobbyist and fan like anyone else.
"the spirit of your average dumbass with more overblown rhetoric" OR "the self-appointed savior of MMA"
Until the higher ups at BE (everyone else) decide to kick me out, or I must bow out for some reason, you’re all stuck reading my crackpot opinions and analysis. Be careful what you wish for.
by Cannon Jacques on Mar 25, 2009 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Wow! Huge news!
Congrats guys. This is bigtime.
"It's like a flying knuckle sandwich." --Rogan
"And many men have eaten it." -- Goldy
BE in USAToday
It’s extremely compelling to me that USAToday is referencing BLOODYELBOW for their official…anything. I feel like Christine Brennan is already preparing a colum decrying the deplorable nature of the sport, or at least bemoaning the financial disparity between the biggest male MMA stars and the biggest female MMA star.
But, funnin’ aside, I’m really proud of the whole BE team and I’m pleased to be able to say that “I knew them when…”
"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard
Nooooooooooo
A great steak just needs a fork and knife.
"I hit [Evensen], and you could just see it in his head. He went, 'Oh, man. We don't have to do this anymore. I'm good. Thanks for having me. I'm going to go home now." -Pat "The Real Techno Viking" Berry
by Blackout612 on Mar 25, 2009 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
I usually don't have an appetite while working...
…but my offices are above a restaurant and now I can see and smell steak.
"I hit [Evensen], and you could just see it in his head. He went, 'Oh, man. We don't have to do this anymore. I'm good. Thanks for having me. I'm going to go home now." -Pat "The Real Techno Viking" Berry
by Blackout612 on Mar 25, 2009 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions
I enjoy Bloody Elbow…. but….
How does a MMA website that for the most part produces very little original content…. Actually get affiliated with a major newspaper?
No wonder all these papers are going out of business!!!
by AlwaysRelaxing on Mar 25, 2009 12:14 PM EDT reply actions
Because they do the leg work of analyzing current affairs, and they’re the only website out there right now (in my opinion) with anything resembling a credible ranking system (ironic given that it only exists thanks to all the crackpot rankings out there, but hey, that’s life). The paper clearly doesn’t have anyone with the background knowledge or time to take on MMA – a very quickly growing sport in North America despite the economy – so they contract out. And more power to Bloody Elbow for jumping on the opportunity.
"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."
by AJB on Mar 25, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
why don't you count up our original content production sometime?
We do a lot of aggregating and summarizing, but this site is a beast that must be fed non-stop and between the staff and the fanposts we produce a lot of content.
But I’m not going to back down from my opinion that the BE rankings are the most informative in the biz. Name a better or more systematic ranking system.
And SBN is the reason for the affiliation. We’re not just flying solo here, SBN is a seriously funded network with the no how to leverage the enthusiasm of the fans.
We’re on the bleeding edge of media.
"the spirit of your average dumbass with more overblown rhetoric" OR "the self-appointed savior of MMA"
This is just so frickin’ awesome. Great work, guys. Really well done! I love that you’ve achieved this without having to sacrafice the core values that have made BE one of the best MMA sites out there. Everyone on the staff is a stand-up person with a lot of knowledge, and you all totally deserve the recognition for your hard work covering MMA.
Thanks, and keep it up!
"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."
Congrats!!!!
Seriously, this is awesome. This site deserves it.
Rec’d, +1, all that jazz! lol
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
Thursday morning in hotel rooms across the country:
“What in the hell in a consensus MMA ranking?”
Big daps to everyone involved. I’m always proud to be a member of Team BE, but this just bumped it up a notch.
Contributor Emeritus - BloodyElbow.com
by Chris Nelson on Mar 25, 2009 12:41 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
A pat on the back to all involved!
This is great news to wake up to. There’s been so much quality work done on this site: You guys deserve this. Cheers!
Reminds me of my favorite tv show
Well were movin on up!
Read My Blog
"Life's tough, tougher if you're stupid."
Congratulations
Quite an accomplishment to all involved. You should be proud of your efforts.
Contributing Editor - MMAonTap.com
Sokonojudo sends out a big harai goshi to everyone! Congratulations!
Oh and don’t do anything stupid now since the whole world is reading about you like put Aoki over Penn.
Nate is gonna start taking payola.
“Bobby Lashley skyrockets to #4 in the meta-rankings after his dominant victory over Jason Guida…”
Contributor Emeritus - BloodyElbow.com
by Chris Nelson on Mar 25, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
congrats
i can remember when usa today used to do a monthly spread on boxing and it’s rankings. i have not read it in awhile so i don’t know if they still do, but i’m going to be making sure and start reading it again now that they are finally giving mma it’s just due. i too hope that BE finally gets credentials to the ufc, now that this major partnership has become.
I guess this is the big news that was alluded to a couple of weeks ago, I’m sure it’s got the WAMMA guys stewing in their juices. Now the meta-rankings “USA Today/SB Nation Consensus MMA Rankings” will actually carry some weight in the industry.
Congratulations on a big announcement that didn’t disappoint :D
WAMMA still accounts for 1/21 of the USAT/SBN Consensus MMA Rankings this month.
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
by Richard Wade on Mar 25, 2009 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions
1/21 doesn’t pay WAMMA’s bills. Wasn’t part of their “business plan” to try and license their rankings to other places? I’m sure it’s a blow to their “official MMA rankings” that the largest newspaper in the US decided to put their name on someone else’s (much better) rankings and ignore WAMMA.
Don’t open the door if Bill Goldberg shows up at your house, of course that’s probably good advice in general.
Kudos!
This is awesome!
I too recall Luke hinting that there may be big things on the horizon, but I would have never been able to predict this sort of announcement. Congrats BE!
My money’s still on “no.”
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
by Richard Wade on Mar 25, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions
I guess that’s all we can do.
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
by Richard Wade on Mar 25, 2009 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Each month, the print edition of USA Today will feature the top 10 fighters in the five major weight classes featured in the UFC:
Does this mean that only UFC fighters will be featured or just that the weight classes that will be included were chosen based on the UFC?
I dislike Matt Hughes.
There should be an MMA themed version of the Wizard of Oz, like The Wiz but with less Diana Ross and Michael Jackson, and more Miguel Torres and Faber.
“We off to see the Fertitaaaasss…”
"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."
DUDES!
I’m stoked! CONGRATS! though not a member of the staff I’m still excited for you guys. I’ve been part of the BE community for about a year and in that time I’ve seen a lot of good stuff coming out of here, whether it’s a staff member or not, everyone here is very respectful, welcoming,and deserving. Good job bros!
Great job guys! There’s not a more deserving bunch of guys on the net.
by thekiltedwonder on Mar 25, 2009 2:32 PM EDT reply actions
Rockin’!
Seeing as we are all listing things we like about BE:
1) Professional Attitude of Editors
2) Moderated Forums
3) Good comunity
4) Compendium of news from everywhere
5) No trolls
Keep firing Assholes!
OMG!!! TROLLS!!!
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Mar 25, 2009 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow that's fuckin' huge.
Personally, I think USA today is trash for a newspaper, but it is the biggest daily paper in the country. Everyone that is in a hotel all over the country will get a little taste of BloodlyElbow from time to time. That’s huge guys, congrats!
Well deserved.
wait
Does that mean BE ranking mean more in the eyes of USA today than WAMMA rankings?
That is sooo incredibly awsome that im going to spoil my keyboard.
Wow very nice BE!!!!
And congratz to the max!!!
by bigislandboi808 on Mar 25, 2009 9:29 PM EDT reply actions
Congrats
This is very very big for you guys and I’m sure it is well deserved. In addition to being a huge accomplishment for you guys, it is indirectly a major step forward for SB Nation. Congratulations!
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